Alu skin thickness - Whats better weight reduction or dent resistance

[cnctube]

I'm looking at an aluminum skinned wing and the calculations show a skin thickness of .016 for 2024T3 or .020 6061T6. Price difference is so minimal that cost is not a consideration of the skins. So that leaves primarily the weight savings of the thinner skins vs the dent resistance of the thicker.

This is a theoretical high wing STOL design.

Any experience/suggestions regarding which option is better?

KB

 

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